What is Septoplasty?

The septum is a hard bone structure located in the inner part of the nose that divides it into two parts in the midline. The warping of this structure as a result of congenital or trauma over time is called septum deviation. The operation performed to correct the deviation is also called septoplasty.

What is Septum Deviation?

Nasal congestion is one of the common complaints in the community. Especially in about a third of adults, chronic nasal congestion occurs. Nasal septum; it is the section located in the central part that separates both nostrils from each other. This compartment (septum) is a thin bone structure in the front of the cartilage and in the back of the nose. It is covered with mucous membranes. The tilting of the septum from the midline to the right or left is called septum deviation. In fact, about 80% of adults have more or less deviation. But most of them are not at a level that will create uncomfortable problems.

How is septoplasty performed?

Septoplasty surgery can be performed with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia is determined according to the patient’s preference. With a simple incision made through the nose, the septum under the structures called the mucosa covering the nose is reached. After that, the determined curvatures are corrected and the existing bone protrusions are rasped or removed if necessary. No intervention is made with the outer roof of the nose. Therefore, there is no swelling or bruising related to that area.

After Surgery

It is normal for you to feel mild pain after surgery. This complaint is easily eliminated with painkillers. Septoplasty surgery does not cause any changes in the shape of the nose. However, it does not cause swelling or bruising. At the end of surgery, your doctor puts flexible tampons made of soft silicone inside your nose. The middle of these bumpers is tubular. If it is not blocked by dried secretion or clots, it is easy to breathe through the nose while it is buffered.

In addition to these, tampons are removed after 2-3 days if only septoplasty is performed, and after 5-7 days if the nasal flesh (turbinate surgery) is also intervened or if it is performed together with rhinoplasty. The removal process takes 10-15 seconds, and you will not feel pain during the procedure. In some patients, surgery can be performed without tampons. However, silicone tampons reduce both bleeding and the risk of developing adhesions in the nose after surgery. For this reason, it is often preferred. There may be bleeding in the form of leakage in the nose for 1-2 days after surgery. But in the following days there are only slight discharges. Afterwards, there are crusts in the nose and this lasts for a week or two at most. It is possible to clean these crusts by softening them with saline.